Lori and Tim in the UK: Paris

Paris

We had the opportunity to go to Paris with Megan while she was over here visiting. Had a great time - got to relax, see the sights, and create some memories.

The Arc de Triomphe
The arch was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories, but he was ousted before the arch was completed. One of the worlds busiest roundabouts - 12 streets come into and leave the large roundabout.

Avenue des Champs Elysees leading to the Arc.

A lion outside the Louvre Museum.

Riverboats on the Seine River with the Eiffel tower in the background

Megan with the the Eifel tower lights starting to show

Having fun on the first night

View of the Eiffel tower from below

Joan of Arc statue in Saint Maria Madeleine

One of the surprises of the day - a tour of the Sainte Chappelle. Built by Louis IX to house the relics of Christ (piece of the crown of thorns, and a piece of the cross - later moved to the Notre Dame), each stained glass window depicts a visual of a books of bible - Genesis through the crucifixion of Jesus.

Notre Dame Cathedral built between 1163 and 1345

Stained glass window in Notre Dame

Gargoyles guard the lookout on the top of Notre Dame

The Notre Dame bell

A view from the top of Notre Dame

Relaxing dinner ..

Taking a tour of the Seine. It was a nice night - people came out with the picnic baskets with their wine and had dinner by the river

We almost had an incident by the chocolate fountain.. (actually, no damage, a lot of self control...)

The Louvre museum. We could have spent days in there and still not have seen everything..

"Victory" was estimated to have been created around 190 BC. It was created to not only honor the goddess, Nike (pre-swoosh) , but to honor a sea battle.

The Mona Lisa, the most popular attraction in the museum.

Venus, created sometime between 130 and 100 BC, it is believed to depict Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love and beauty

More Lions

Sphinx from Ramses II ~ 1750 BC

6 Roman goddesses

(ok, the two in front, and 4 way in the back......)

Long Day, first causality....

An interesting bridge... tradition is to attach a a padlock to the bridge and throw the key in the Seinne. Lot's of couples and engraved wedding day padlocks.

Newly married couple with their lock... just from the looks of it, someone may be getting a hacksaw to that one in a year or two.. (no offense meant :) )